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Frida: A Biography of Frida Kahlo
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"Through her art, Herrera writes, Kahlo made of herself both performer and icon. Through this long overdue biography, Kahlo has also, finally, been made fully human." — San Francisco Chronicle
Hailed by readers and critics across the country, this engrossing biography of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo reveals a woman of extreme magnetism and originality, an artist whose sensual vibrancy came straight from her own experiences: her childhood near Mexico City during the Mexican Revolution; a devastating accident at age eighteen that left her crippled and unable to bear children; her tempestuous marriage to muralist Diego Rivera and intermittent love affairs with men as diverse as Isamu Noguchi and Leon Trotsky; her association with the Communist Party; her absorption in Mexican folklore and culture; and her dramatic love of spectacle.
Here is the tumultuous life of an extraordinary twentieth-century woman -- with illustrations as rich and haunting as her legend.
- Print length528 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherHarper Perennial
- Publication dateOctober 1, 2002
- Dimensions6.12 x 1.4 x 9.25 inches
- ISBN-100060085894
- ISBN-13978-0060085896
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Editorial Reviews
Review
“Through her art, Herrera writes, Kahlo made of herself both performer and icon. Through this long overdue biography, Kahlo has also, finally, been made fully human.” - San Francisco Chronicle
"A haunting, highly vivid biography." - Ms. magazine
From the Back Cover
Hailed by readers and critics across the country, this engrossing biography of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo reveals a woman of extreme magnetism and originality, an artist whose sensual vibrancy came straight from her own experiences: her childhood near Mexico City during the Mexican Revolution; a devastating accident at age eighteen that left her crippled and unable to bear children; her tempestuous marriage to muralist Diego Rivera and intermittent love affairs with men as diverse as Isamu Noguchi and Leon Trotsky; her association with the Communist Party; her absorption in Mexican folklore and culture; and her dramatic love of spectacle.
Here is the tumultuous life of an extraordinary twentieth-century woman -- with illustrations as rich and haunting as her legend.
About the Author
Hayden Herrera is an art historian. She has lectured widely, curated several exhibitions of art, taught Latin American art at New York University, and has been awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship. She is the author of numerous articles and reviews for such publications as Art in America, Art Forum, Connoisseur, and the New York Times, among others. Her books include Frida: A Biography of Frida Kahlo; Mary Frank; and Matisse: A Portrait. She is working on a critical biography of Arshile Gorky. She lives in New York City.
Product details
- Publisher : Harper Perennial
- Publication date : October 1, 2002
- Language : English
- Print length : 528 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0060085894
- ISBN-13 : 978-0060085896
- Item Weight : 10.4 ounces
- Dimensions : 6.12 x 1.4 x 9.25 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #124,260 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- Customer Reviews:
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Reviews with images
What I wanted is what I got :)
Top reviews from the United States
- 5 out of 5 stars
Excellent biography
Reviewed in the United States on May 17, 2026Excellent book. What a fascinating woman and what a fascinating life. The descriptions of her paintings brought them to life and the photos of her work and her life were very helpful.
One person found this helpfulSending feedback...Sending feedback...HelpfulThank you for your feedback.Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try againThanks, we'll investigate in the next few days.Sorry, We failed to report this review. Please try again - 5 out of 5 stars
Intimate Experience
Reviewed in the United States on September 29, 2023I am an avid reader. Not so much of biographies but I have read a ton of books. I would put this book in my top 20 for sure. The authors style is engaging and keeps you wanting to read. She clearly knows the art world and all about Frida and Diego. There are some photographs and then also illustrations of some of Frida's works. Best biography I have read ever.
16 people found this helpfulSending feedback...Sending feedback...HelpfulThank you for your feedback.Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try againThanks, we'll investigate in the next few days.Sorry, We failed to report this review. Please try again - 5 out of 5 stars
What I wanted is what I got :)
Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2023I have been getting more into knowing Frida Kahlo’s life after years of only knowing her paintings and some snippets of her life. This is really a beautiful and raw written book regarding her as a person and then as an artist while giving you the context of what was happening historically wise during the time of her life. I highly recommend it if you are curious/a fan of Frida’s work.
The book came in very good condition although used! I bought from the seller “LUXURYMERCHANDISE (Veteran Owned)” and besides two little tearing on the cover (barely noticeable) the book itself is in amazing condition!! In the picture you’ll see I have it wrapped in a book cover for extra protection (I bought the protection separately!)! The shipping was smooth and fast!

I have been getting more into knowing Frida Kahlo’s life after years of only knowing her paintings and some snippets of her life. This is really a beautiful and raw written book regarding her as a person and then as an artist while giving you the context of what was happening historically wise during the time of her life. I highly recommend it if you are curious/a fan of Frida’s work.
The book came in very good condition although used! I bought from the seller “LUXURYMERCHANDISE (Veteran Owned)” and besides two little tearing on the cover (barely noticeable) the book itself is in amazing condition!! In the picture you’ll see I have it wrapped in a book cover for extra protection (I bought the protection separately!)! The shipping was smooth and fast!
11 people found this helpfulSending feedback...Sending feedback...HelpfulThank you for your feedback.Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try againThanks, we'll investigate in the next few days.Sorry, We failed to report this review. Please try again - 5 out of 5 stars
Frida Kalo is Excellent, Brilliant and throughly captivating- Must read!
Reviewed in the United States on November 10, 2013One of my most favorite books of all time. I bought this because my sister saw her exibit somewhere. It peeked my interest and this story, this womans life is extrordinary. From beginning to end it throughly kept my attention. Her art her life story is both compelling and heartbreaking. You may not like her art but you have to read to understand where her art comes from. the pain the loves and her need to paint Wonderful. I only wish it had been on Kindle but I have admit I enjoyed turning real pages and placing this book among my treasured reads. You will love this book and its History of a Fragil womans life, loves and art.
3 people found this helpfulSending feedback...Sending feedback...HelpfulThank you for your feedback.Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try againThanks, we'll investigate in the next few days.Sorry, We failed to report this review. Please try again - 4 out of 5 stars
An Informative Read For The Kahlo Connoisseur
Reviewed in the United States on August 7, 2024I purchased this book as an art major undergrad for one of my classes. I've learned much about the tragedies that Frida Kahlo faced from this book, which delves deep into the nitty-gritty of the artist's life. Highly recommend for the artist who is also a history buff. You won't be disappointed! That being said, I gave it four stars because I felt that it dragged in certain aspects. Sometimes the author hyperfixated on certain parts of Kahlo's past. Overall, a pretty enjoyable read!
Sending feedback...Sending feedback...HelpfulThank you for your feedback.Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try againThanks, we'll investigate in the next few days.Sorry, We failed to report this review. Please try again - 5 out of 5 stars
Frida:
Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2010Frida: A Biography of Frida Kalho is a great movie. Having read Le Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver plus Frida by Hayden Herrera I know this movie correctly follows the chronology of her life. The movie maker has used the Mexican setting beautifully in the shooting of this film. Understanding the meaning and the context of Frida's paintings the director has masterfully created "freeze frames" which replicate her paintings then made these come to life.
Frida was a bright energetic person who suffered tragedy early in life. She was determined not to be forgotten, to overcome her circumstances and to live her life with spirit, with love, with art all around her and with true alegria. Her story is an inspiration.
4 people found this helpfulSending feedback...Sending feedback...HelpfulThank you for your feedback.Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try againThanks, we'll investigate in the next few days.Sorry, We failed to report this review. Please try again - 5 out of 5 stars
Sensitively Written Biography
Reviewed in the United States on August 31, 2021This biography of Frida Kahlo an important female artist was enjoyable to read. The biographer researched the life of the artist and has written a sensitive portrait of her life.
3 people found this helpfulSending feedback...Sending feedback...HelpfulThank you for your feedback.Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try againThanks, we'll investigate in the next few days.Sorry, We failed to report this review. Please try again - 5 out of 5 stars
She’s so influential
Reviewed in the United States on January 8, 2021This is one my favorite books. I had a copy I lost years ago in a move and I never finished it. Now I get to see how it ends
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Top reviews from other countries
Jacques H. Reulet II5 out of 5 starsBeautiful!
Reviewed in Mexico on February 20, 2026Amazing! A beautiful read!

Amazing! A beautiful read!
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Bhavana5 out of 5 starsThe incredible journey of an icon.
Reviewed in India on May 16, 2025Proud of her Mexican heritage, Frida Kahlo, was a striking artist in her flowing skirts, joined eyebrows and tied hair. Temperamental, flamboyant, she was also politically active, identifying with the Communist ideology, along with her artist husband, Diego Rivera. Independent, yet, hugely dependent on him, she married, divorced and remarried, Diego. Their relationship was the mainstay in her life, alternating between love and umpteen upsets and conficts.
Her life is a daunting account to pen. Pain dogged her right from childhood, a polio affliction when she was eight years old, to a devastating accident at the age of eighteen. Her subsequent years passed in a series of innumerable surgeries, tied up in plaster corsets for months, unable to stand and paint. Her paintings echo these personal stories of hope, turmoil, grief and despair. In her words - “I paint my own reality.”
Passing away at the age of forty seven, much of Frida’s fame came after her death. A legendary figure in the art world, her spirited life and non conformity of societal norms, dictated her personal choices. Her art is an ode to her culture, nature and her 'self'.
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Jimmy SR5 out of 5 starsAn intelligent and interesting biography of the artist Frida Kahlo and the Mexico of her day
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 20, 2026I bought it as a birthday gift for a friend who says the book is excellent! Interesting, fast moving, intelligently written and gives a wide and open picture of the Mexico of Frida's day, the world in which she lived in.
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Nikita5 out of 5 starsGreat book
Reviewed in Italy on April 14, 2021Well written book, timely delivery.
Frida was a great artist but also a great warrior.
Inside the book you will find photos.



Well written book, timely delivery.
Frida was a great artist but also a great warrior.
Inside the book you will find photos.
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Xander715 out of 5 starsAmazing book
Reviewed in Canada on November 14, 2020Everything you want to know. Amazing biography
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